Walleye 101

[LordoftheFlies]

I began this year with one goal in mind with regards to angling; catch a walleye (on purpose). After several discouraging trips to Deer Creek and Yuba, I have decided I am doing something terribly wrong.

I know some members on here have done some instructional-type get-togethers in the past. I just wanted to see if there was any interest (other than my own) from BFT members to do a Walleye 101 class to help those like me that just can't seem to grasp this type of fishing.
[signature]

[mactuna]

You need to try Starvation, are you in a boat ? Wallie fishing isn't rocket science, they are just bhard too catch consistently. Some of use try, but strike out sometimes.Read other post, they will tell you they are one tuff fish to catch all the time.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]DWR and Rocky Mountain Anglers had a walleye seminar a couple of months ago. Probably won't do one again this year. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, if there is any interest, we can gather up some riggin' and have a few of the EX-SPURTS hold forth for a while. Willow Park Pond pavillion is usually a good spot.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[CROSSINEYES]

it took me five years to pick up my first eye. after starting to chase them. dont worry it will happen if you stay at it. yuba is tuff again this yr for eyes. starvation is your best bet right now.[]
[signature]

[LordoftheFlies]

[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]DWR and Rocky Mountain Anglers had a walleye seminar a couple of months ago.[/#0000ff][/quote]

I'm embarassed to say I went. I took notes, grabbed literature and maps and I'm still getting my @$# handed to me by those fish. I think part of my problem is I know nothing about trolling, and that seems to be the most effective way to catch them (at least that's what I hear). I do have a 14ft boat w/8hp Honda, again I just know nothing about trolling. Anyway, I appreciate some of the assistance I've received so far, but would still be interested in a hands-on training session.

If not, it looks like I've only got 4 more years to go.[]
[signature]

[waljustia]

Have you read TubeDudes walleye writeup? Now, its emphasis was on Utah Lake walleyes.. nonetheless.. it's a great writeup.

It took me a year before I caught my first eye "On Purpose".. It's funny because I thought.. "Ok, I got it down now.. " several months later.. I am still hoping for my 2nd "on purpose" eye.. maybe tomorrow.. []
[signature]

[LordoftheFlies]

Well it's good just to hear that they are, in fact, a challenging species to target, and I'm not just a terrible fisherman. I don't know, I guess it could be both.[unimpressed]
[signature]

[DUKMAN]

Walleye fishing is simple (for those of us growing up fishing for them) It's 90 % location. Fishing for eyes isn't always a put-put presentation. If they don't hit with typical methods the best way is to flat out haul by speed trolling or fast retrieves to get a reactionary hit. They will hit first and it's too late. They don't have time to exam the offering. They will strike at it by pure instinct and reaction. But you need to be in their zone.
Crank baits like number 5 and 7 shad raps are one of the best producers with this practice the same as fishing slow twitching it every few seconds.
Harnesses will typically be a good offering this time of year when you find the right structure and sitting on top of them with the likes of a fuzzy grub tipped with a leech or crawler can also be killer.
Generally the walleyes will be between 12 and 18 ft of water this time of year right off a break or mudline with a few loners found in the rocks.
Best thing to remember during winds is to always fish the shorline with the waves breaking into them. If it's overcast you will find them in as little as 5 or 6 ft. feeding on disturbed bait/crawdads whatever. If it's dead calm and sunny go to 15 to 25 ft.
Flourocarbon line and as light as you dare go will also produce more walleyes as well.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Trolling is the "accepted" method of fishing for walleyes by many anglers. But, just like with macks or many other species, there are times when jigging will put more fish in the boat. This is especially true when the eyes are holding in and around cover or in a tricky bottom contour situation. Dropping a jig straight down and working it right will catch fish, whereas trolling will either result in a lot of snags or just washing lures in fishless water. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I fish from a float tube, so trolling all day is not an option for me. However, I do fish a lot by rigging with a Roadrunner, or other spinner enhanced jig, and "bottom bouncing"...lifting and dropping...while slowly kicking along and watching the sonar to keep me in the right zone. Then, once I find a fishy area, I will either vertical jig or cast and retrieve. Much depends on water depth and the apparent "mode" of the fish...active, neutral or negative.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As has been mentioned, finding the fish is a key element. They move around when feeding and you "can't catch them where they ain't." What is worse is that finding them is not a guarantee that you will catch any. We all see a lot of marks on sonar that never turn into fillets on the table.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]And, I got news for ya. Even the guys that host the seminars do not catch walleyes on every trip. They only crow about the good trips. When they blank they just mumble their usual stuff about "$#%& WALLEYES, cold fronts, moon phases", etc.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have caught enough walleyes...on purpose...over the years to flatter myself that I am better than most at pursuing them. But, I would never be so vain as to call myself a walleye expert. Yeah, I usually catch a few if I time it right and manage to find them, but I often have to be content with catching other species. Anybody who claims to catch walleyes on every trip will lie about other things too.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[DUKMAN]

Mack fishing and walleye fishing are almost identical in tactics with exception of depth and time of year.

Road runners? Never heard of those being used for walleye. Interesting. And yep..your right. All fisherman lie. Even if they fish for stocker rainbows "on purpose" with power bait.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I pour all my own jig heads. I have three different molds for Roadrunners and I would never leave home without some. I have lots of pictures of wallies with the little spinnered jiggies in their faces.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Roadrunners are especially good for vertical jigging. The extra flash and vibration of the little blade helps call in the eyes. Adding a bit of "sweetener" (worm or perch meat) helps seal the deal.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[LordoftheFlies]

I want to thank everyone for their info via this thread or pm. I will definitely give it a college try. However, if anyone is going chasing eyes and your boat buddy backs out on ya or you could use some help with the fuel expense, please don't hesitate to shoot me a pm.

Look for a celebratory thread from me in the future when I do finally catch one (or more) of those elusive Walleye. Thanks again.
[signature]

[DUKMAN]

[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]I pour all my own jig heads. I have three different molds for Roadrunners and I would never leave home with some. I have lots of pictures of wallies with the little spinnered jiggies in their faces.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Roadrunners are especially good for vertical jigging. The extra flash and vibration of the little blade helps call in the eyes. Adding a bit of "sweetener" (worm or perch meat) helps seal the deal.[/#0000ff][/quote]
That's cool. Nothing better than catching fish on your own stuff.
[signature]

[crankem]

If you can make to the BFT tourny on the 12th of July I would be happy to show you what I know.
Started fishing walleye tournys 11 years ago and was brought up and raised in Wisconsin so I've been around walleye fishing most of my life.
I've learned alot about turning a tough bite into a productive day by watching and listening to professional walleye fisherman at some of the big name tournemants.
Walleyes can be exasperating but thier still just a fish and they need to eat.
Location, location location!!! is the biggest obstical. I firmley believe 80% of the fish are in 20% of the water.
Walleyes move around alot until they find 3 main things.
Food, comfort (water temps) and saftey.
I've fished for them enough the past 50 years or so to know that cold fronts falling barometers and no wind and clear skies make for a tough bites. Those conditions do not mean you can't catch eyes it just means it's a tougher to do so.
As mentioned earlyer reaction bites and dead slow in their face presentaions all will work at times.
Once you find them give em what they want and you'll be having walleye fillets for dinner.
[signature]

[Perchman]

So easy A seven year old can do it!!![cool]

Got to work on Her holding them Not quite there yet[blush]


She Only does it this Way.

[signature]

[LordoftheFlies]

Thanks, that makes me feel tons better.[:/] [] That is pretty cool though.
[signature]

[Perchman]

Not trying to put ya down. She did not Catch it just took credit for it[cool] But she hiked her arce off to get to that lake and never complained one time Walked her about 4 miles that day.[blush]
[signature]

[trollem34]

[shocked] Your Probably over thinking tha Whole Walleye thing.
Yuba's down but coming back! Willard 's down but doing ISHISH. Will you you Fly guys and tubers quite thinking it' s magic touch or bait and just go fish for heavens sake.
When ya go just pull some cranks in a natural color ( yes i mean what they eat for Hell's sake) Drag a jig, Pull a Lindy rig in the wind, Pull a well tied spinner. My godness it's not rocket science. If you can catch a bass or a mack or any other fish you can and will catch a Eye. Location Time and speed. Leave your tube baits home though. Crawdads are generally not a prefeffered bait bait till molt time. They are soooooooooooo soft and tasty then .
[signature]

[FishNCoach]

I would love to take you to Willard and fish walleye, Send me a PM, in he last few days I have landed quite a few, and do quite well at it, I will be free Fri-Sat , Let's set up a time and I will Coach you on what I know, won't cost $ you a cent, O.K. perhaps a cold one, (Mt. due) (P.M. me)
[signature]

[DUKMAN]

Your right it is easy. My son and I took 7th at the Catch-a-Cure last weekend at Starvation. Missed Big Fish by an ounce and taking the whole thing just over a pound.
Here's a few pics of our pre-fish.


[signature]